The Head Of The Quebec City Mosque Where 6 People Were Murdered Had His Car Torched

The incident took place shortly after the mosque bought land for a cemetery.

The president of the Quebec City mosque where six worshippers were killed by a gunman in January says someone torched his car in early August.

Jacques Boissinot / THE CANADIAN PRESS

According to a statement posted online by the Quebec Islamic Cultural Centre, Mohamed Labidi's car was set on fire while outside his house around 1:30 in the morning on Aug. 6.

"This hateful crime against the president and his family adds to a long series of hateful acts against our organization," the statement said.

The mosque has been repeatedly vandalized in recent years with anti-Muslim messages, including a severed pig's head left on the doorstep. In January, the mosque came to international attention after a gunman opened fire on worshippers during evening prayers, killing six and injuring many more.

The apparent arson incident took place after residents in the nearby town of Saint-Apollinaire had voted against allowing the mosque to establish a burial ground there. Quebec City ultimately stepped in and sold the organization a 6,000-square-metre plot of land within the city for the cemetery. Labidi's car was burned within days of that announcement.

The car was completely destroyed and police have confiscated its remains as part of their investigation.

Quebec Islamic Cultural Centre

In a statement, Quebec City Mayor Régis Labeaume denounced the "hateful acts" targeting the Muslim community in the city.

"Quebec is an open city where everyone must be able to live together in safety and respect," he said.